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Immersion Files Second Haptic Feedback Lawsuit Against Apple
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Someone needs to tell these guys that AT&T isn't the only company that sells the iPhone any more! Wow. At least they didn't name Cingular. From what others have stated, I get that they're not patent trolls—BUT pulling in AT&T seems very Trolley McTrollerson.
If Immersion can exclusively patent "press harder for more actions and feel some feedback" then Apple should be able to patent "glass slab with touchscreen and virtual keyboard". Both are equally vague. If Immersion wins, hopefully Apple would proceed a multi front war against every smartphone manufacturer and bring the suit before the SAME judge. I'd love to hear the semantics and mental gymnastics used to allow one but not the other
The priorities of a search engine has nothing to do with a company holding a patent.
Your statement " ... doesn't sit right", tries to rope in a collective.
A bankrupt or "insignificant" company still worked hard to invent and patent their product.
So, Apple gets to freeload on "ancient" patents! How many of Apple's patents are as ancient as that company's first days?
Now, file a patent by yourself on a brilliant new idea - and come out at the other end sane, after all the effort, time, money, etc., spent.
If you want to know how easily the patent system can be bought off and extended by powerful lobbyists, check Pfizer's patent on Celebrex. They paid off enough lawmakers in Washington to extend that patent by almost a decade - that is abuse.
The Happy Birthday song's patent is from almost a hundred years old - that is abuse; supposedly the patent is not even genuine!
The sad thing is that there isn't any way to get a fair trial and justice against a well funded behemoth like Apple.
This is the USA, where the company with the most money, best attorneys and biased media help a company like Apple prevail.
Only in the rarest of cases do the little guys win. Kudos to them for trying... But failure looms large before they even set foot in the court room.
This is the USA, where the company with the most money, best attorneys and biased media help a company like Apple prevail.
Only in the rarest of cases do the little guys win. Kudos to them for trying... But failure looms large before they even set foot in the court room.
Vibrating dildos where invented over a 100 years ago; they certainly offer "Tactile Sensation" and evolved into a convenient and mobile devices.
Also Microsoft and Sony pay them for the rumble feature in their video game controllers. Why does Apple think they invented everything?
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Where have you been? Ever hear of this lawsuit between Apple and Samsung? Apple did get a design patent for a rectangle glass slab with touchscreen and virtual keyboard. So now tell me why Apple should get to keep that patent and why this patent from Immersion is invalid? I'm waiting for the mental gymnastics.
Wow. Someone's bitter.
What makes you think other smartphone manufacturers aren't already licensing Immersion's tech? I can tell you that Samsung, Huawei, Google, Motorola, Kyocera, LG, Nokia/Microsoft, and other manufacturers do legally license Immersion's IP.
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Totally doesn't know what he's talking about.
I had two Verizon touchscreen phones before I got the iPhone and they both had similar Taptic feedback. I wonder why they aren't suing them instead? I guess that's not where the money is.
Apple very often files for patents of inventions that never see the light of day in their products. Using your logic, I'm assuming you're OK if Apple loses them too since they aren't used in a product within 1 year? Please say yes...since I really don't think you want to be a hypocrite right?
Because the manufacturers had legitimately licensed the technology by chance?
Looks like they have a valid case, and right to defend thier IP. I have a feeling they might win this one.
This. I find it really weird that on this forum you have to justify someone suing Apple over patents.The law should be applied equality to anyone - people and companies.
I have no idea if Immersion has a case or not, or if they are a patent troll or not. But I will say that the fact that other companies have licensed Immersion tech is irrelevant.
Those companies may have found true value in what Immersion had to offer, and licensed it as they properly should.
Or those companies may have found no value whatsoever, recognized a patent troll, but preferred to pay the license as it was cheaper than dealing with a lawsuit. Offering licensing terms just below the cost of defending a lawsuit, and far below the cost of losing a lawsuit, is patent troll tactic #1.
One thing doesn't look good to me though. Immersion is located in San Joe and Apple is located in Cupertino. A logical and convenient location would be to file the lawsuit in California, such as when Apple filed a lawsuit against Samsung. However, Immersion filed the lawsuit in Delaware, a known patent troll haven second only to East Texas.
Those companies may have found true value in what Immersion had to offer, and licensed it as they properly should.
Or those companies may have found no value whatsoever, recognized a patent troll, but preferred to pay the license as it was cheaper than dealing with a lawsuit. Offering licensing terms just below the cost of defending a lawsuit, and far below the cost of losing a lawsuit, is patent troll tactic #1.
One thing doesn't look good to me though. Immersion is located in San Joe and Apple is located in Cupertino. A logical and convenient location would be to file the lawsuit in California, such as when Apple filed a lawsuit against Samsung. However, Immersion filed the lawsuit in Delaware, a known patent troll haven second only to East Texas.
Yes. File for the patent when the product is ready instead of hoarding patents and using them in frivolous lawsuits. Have something of value to protect instead of sitting on obvious IP for years like most of them do.
You mean like in app purchase lawsuit? Which clearly was ******** and how many settlements there were?
If Apple bought them their license would be valid until it expires then it would be up to apple to license it under reasonable terms. I see nothing unti trustable here.
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They probably asked Apple for too much money and Immersion said 'see you in court'. What we don't see now are the behind the scenes negotiations, the lawyers will have looked at this and will have a fair idea of how the suit will go and how much Apple would have to pay if they lose. If that's more than they can settle for then they will settle out of court.
Because it's their right to disagree if they want.
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Of course yes.
Don't think it is, they patented (or bought the patent) on a moving object inside a device to produce a interactive feedback.
It's an idea, the customers all implemented it differently but had to pay regardless. Mostly its a rotating wheel but Apple is using electricity (as far as i understand), Immersion has patented the idea of haptic feedback, not a technology. Good thing Apple is fighting this, finally.
OMG electricity! What is this amazing new thing of which you speak?!
Patents need to change. They should only be judged on whether the patent holder is making a competing product in the same market and is a unique solution to a problem and not just a description of a general method. If it's haptic feedback it should be a specific implementation in a certain type of device and prove that their technique isn't too broad as to prevent other methods.
I can see things like designing a sealing method to prevent a lid tamper as a perfect example. To say you own all methods of sealing a lid isn't a patent but a very specific method such as a piece of plastic with a tab in a certain location.
Haptic feedback is not a patent IMHO there many ways to do it, such as bar magnet, motor, a buzz, a fake click, a pulse or sound and much more. It's not a unique idea, hell apple could claim it makes haptic keyboards as they all click when you press them for a REASON. Even mice click loudly to let you know of a confirmed click. Haptic feedback is such a broad area and the method of providing feedback is just about fundamental to all objects whether that is mechanical or electro-mechanical.
I'm not on apples' side, I'm on the side of common sense and tech patents just need changing.
Kinda ironic on the IP licensing page they have an apple iPad!
http://www.immersion.com/technology/#ip-licensing/
I can see things like designing a sealing method to prevent a lid tamper as a perfect example. To say you own all methods of sealing a lid isn't a patent but a very specific method such as a piece of plastic with a tab in a certain location.
Haptic feedback is not a patent IMHO there many ways to do it, such as bar magnet, motor, a buzz, a fake click, a pulse or sound and much more. It's not a unique idea, hell apple could claim it makes haptic keyboards as they all click when you press them for a REASON. Even mice click loudly to let you know of a confirmed click. Haptic feedback is such a broad area and the method of providing feedback is just about fundamental to all objects whether that is mechanical or electro-mechanical.
I'm not on apples' side, I'm on the side of common sense and tech patents just need changing.
Kinda ironic on the IP licensing page they have an apple iPad!
http://www.immersion.com/technology/#ip-licensing/
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What's that? Some attempt at a hipster come back to me? Or do you believe that a company should in one year patent something and then sell and profit from a device themselves using their invention? Did you even properly read the comment I replied to?
Just so you know they do NOT need to be determined in any shape or form. They recently won against Sony in Sony's home country! Their patents ARE valid to THEIR inventions that others are using illegally.
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Not totally sure of the ins and outs but it seems AT&T are promoting their technology in some way that violates the patent and not the fact it sells the iPhone.
I don't know exactly how but that's kinda what their case relates to. Maybe AT&T are promoting their tech to other manufactures?
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I agree with this common sense approach. But it doesn't seem to be the way it will be done.
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Not a fan of the patent system in its current state, really.
But in this case - to be fair - IMMERSION seem to not be scammers or patent trolls.
If Apple was first on inventing and patenting "haptic feedback" and IMMERSION would start licensing this very technology to its customers, APPLE would take them to court as well.
So...as bitter as it may sound: Pay up and move on, Apple.
But in this case - to be fair - IMMERSION seem to not be scammers or patent trolls.
If Apple was first on inventing and patenting "haptic feedback" and IMMERSION would start licensing this very technology to its customers, APPLE would take them to court as well.
So...as bitter as it may sound: Pay up and move on, Apple.